Urban Sprawl

Mental M

ap

Sketch a map of this town as you think it would look today.

Maps should show street patterns and types of available

Mental M

ap

patterns and types of available transportation (e.g., bus routes, light rail tracks, or major "feeder roads").

What is Spraw

l?

Sprawl is dispersed, auto-dependent development outside of compact urban and village centers, along

What is Spraw

l?

village centers, along highways, and in rural countryside.

Characterizations

Sprawl is typically characterized by...

• Excessive land consumption

• Low densities in comparison with older centers

• Lack of choice in ways to travel

Characterizations

• Fragmented open space, wide gaps between development and a scattered appearance

• Lack of choice in housing types and prices

• Repetitive one story development

• Commercial buildings surrounded by acres of parking

Distinctions

Sprawl is distinct from existing compact urban centers and villages which are...

• Higher density than surrounding areas

• Mixed use and diverse in type and scale of housing, business and industry

Distinctions

• Pedestrian oriented

• Served by public facilities, services and spaces

• Surrounded by open spaces, including productive farm and forest land

• Exemplify a unique cultural heritage

Causes of Spraw

l

• Land regulations that promote spread out, land consumptive development

• Consumer desire for rural lifestyle with large homes and large yards, safe environment and less traffic congestion

• Preference of business and industry for easy highway access, plenty of free parking

Causes of Spraw

l

highway access, plenty of free parking

• Tax policies and utility rate policies

• Higher costs of development in older, traditional centers and lower land prices in peripheral areas

• Commercial lending practices that favor suburban development

Impact on Q

uality of Life

• Increase in auto dependency, fuel consumption, and air pollution; reduced opportunity for public transportation services

• Increased commuting times and costs; less time for family, friends and recreation

• Increase in health problems in children and

Impact on Q

uality of Life

• Increase in health problems in children and adults due to sedentary life style

• Isolation of some populations, such as poor and elderly, in urban areas

• Decline in vitality and economic and fiscal viability of existing urban and village centers

Impact on E

conomy

• Excessive public costs for roads and utility line extensions and service delivery to dispersed development

• Decline in economic opportunity in traditional centers

• Premature disinvestment in existing buildings,

Impact on E

conomy

• Premature disinvestment in existing buildings, facilities and services in urban and village centers

• Isolation of employees from activity centers, homes, daycare and schools

• Reduced ability to finance public services in urban centers

Impact on E

nvironment

• Fragmented open space and wildlife habitat

• Loss of productive farmland and forestland

Impact on E

nvironment

• Decline in water quality from increased urban runoff, shoreline development and loss of wetlands

Finally Thank you

Finally Thank you